Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have obtained a remarkable view of the distant lenticular galaxy Markarian 820.
This Hubble image shows the lenticular galaxy Markarian 820. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / N. Gorin, STScI / Judy Schmidt, www.geckzilla.com.
Markarian 820, also known as Mrk 820, LEDA 52404 or IRAS F14379+3142, lies in the constellation Bootes, about 300 million light-years from Earth. It is a galaxy type known as a lenticular galaxy.
Galaxies like this one are in the transition zone between ellipticals and spirals and lie right where the fork divides.
A closer look at the appearance of Markarian 820 reveals hints of a spiral structure embedded in a circular halo of stars.
Surrounding Markarian 820 in this Hubble image is good sampling of other galaxy types – ellipticals and spirals.
Most of the smears and specks are distant galaxies, but the prominent bright object at the bottom is a foreground star called TYC 4386-787-1.
Markarian 820. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / N. Gorin, STScI / Judy Schmidt, www.geckzilla.com.
The image was taken using Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS).
Astronomer Judy Schmidt submitted a version of the image to the Hubble’s Hidden Treasures image processing competition.
